(1) Applicants applying to become a certified peer counselor with the authority must meet all of the following:

(a) Self-identify as a person with lived experience in behavioral health recovery or as a parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18 who experienced behavioral health challenges;

(b) Demonstrate they have been well-grounded in their own recovery for at least one year and be willing to tell their recovery story;

(c) Demonstrate basic reading and writing comprehension;

(d) Meet the minimum education requirements of a high school diploma or GED. The authority may grant a waiver of this requirement;

(e) Be 18 years of age or older;

(f) Be credentialed as an agency affiliated counselor under chapter 18.19 RCW;

(g) Complete specialized training provided by or contracted through the authority. If the person was trained by trainers approved by the department of social and health services before October 1, 2004, and has met the requirements in (a), (b), and (f) of this subsection by January 31, 2005, the person is exempt from completing this specialized training; and

(h) Successfully pass the authority's examination.

(2) In order to take the authority's examination to become a certified peer counselor who can provide medicaid-reimbursable peer counseling services, applicants must:

(a) Successfully complete an approved certified peer counselor training course administered by the authority's approved training entity with approved trainers; and

(b) Pass the Washington state certified peer counseling examination with a score of 80 percent or higher.

(3) Upon successful completion of the authority's examination, the authority issues a letter stating the authority recognizes the person as a "certified peer counselor."